RUFFA Gutierrez and brothers Richard and Raymond Gutierrez are now Viva artists.

They signed up, along with their manager-mom, Annabelle Rama under Viva Agency, led by Boss Vic del Rosario at the Viva Tektite office Wednesday afternoon.

But Boss Vic quickly explained that Viva will only handle the Gutierrezes over their endorsement deals. "Pagdating sa pelikula at TV, si Annabelle pa rin ang bahala sa kanila," he said.

Annabelle butted in: "Dati kasi, may nagha-handle sa kanila sa endorsement, si Douglas Quijano. Eh nung mamatay si Douglas, ako na uli. Eh hirap ako sa mga contract na ganyan. Nung malaman ni Boss Vic, sabi niya, pag-usapan namin. Kaya eto na."

"We've gone a long way," said Boss Vic. "Dalaga pa si Annabelle, magkaibigan na kami."

Boss Vic only laughed when someone asked if it's true he also courted Annabelle, but eventually turned him down.

"May tiwala ako sa kanya," said Annabelle. "Alam ko, marami siyang makukuhang endorsement para sa mga anak ko."

Ruffa said she feels so at home with Viva as she has done some movies for the company, including her first co-venture as a producer, “Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa,” where she was also the lead actress. Last year, she also made “Working Girls” under Boss Vic's company.

Meanwhile, aside from endorsement deals, Boss Vic also plans to pair Richard with Sarah Geronimo in a future movie project. "May pelikula pang gagawin si Sarah with John Lloyd (Cruz), so baka pagkatapos nu’n," he announced. "Pwede rin si Richard with KC (Concepcion) uli. Tingnan natin. Maraming possibilities."

Richard, who said he was still feeling the jet lag (he arrived two days earlier after a month-long vacation in the US), could only thank Boss Vic for the new opportunity. He announced that he already had a meeting with GMA7 bosses about new projects after “Survivor Philippines.” One is an action drama but Richard could not divulge who his leading lady would be yet. "We already have a short list, but I think they're still going through an audition," he said.

Meanwhile, Ruffa said she doesn't want to have a lovelife this year. "I don't want any distraction," she said. "I want to focus on my career."

Mom Annabelle, accidentally or otherwise, dropped the contract folder she was holding, as if to imply that Ruffa wasn't telling the truth. Everyone laughed.

But whether or not Ruffa makes her promise good, she is certainly seeing a better year under Viva.   --EUGENE ASIS